Steven Gunderson: “I offer this motion today so that I might ask a question. Why are we so mean? Why are we so motivated by prejudice…”

“I offer this motion today so that I might ask a question. Why are we so mean? Why are we so motivated by prejudice, intolerance and, unfortunately in some cases, bigotry? Why must we attack one element of our society for some cheap political gain? Why must we pursue the politics of division, of fear, and of hate? Yes, marriage is under attack in our society today, but may I suggest to my colleagues it is not because of same-sex relationships. In all due respect, lesbians have no interest in making anyone their husband and gay men have no interest in pursuing anyone's wife. Rather, marriage might be under attack because of alcohol abuse, because of spousal abuse and, might I suggest, even Sunday afternoon football. Like most of my colleagues, I too grew up with basical traditional values. My religion and my heritage also define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. So I went to my party's leadership and I went to the distinguished gentleman from Illinois, Chairman Hyde, and I went to Speaker Gingrich, and I said I am willing, as a gay man, to support your efforts to reaffirm that the word marriage represents a union between a man and a woman. All I ask in return is that we take the meanness out of this legislative initiative. I ask my leadership to recognize that those of us who happen to be in long-term loving relationships also might be considered or at least studied for the potential of legitimate benefits and privileges.”